Release Detail

March 16, 2005 - Money Doesn't Hurt Corzine In New Jersey Gov Race,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
He Has Double-Digit Lead Over Top GOP Contenders

New Jersey voters say Sen. Jon Corzine's use of his own money to finance his campaign
for Governor is more of an asset than a liability, according to a Quinnipiac University
poll released today.

Asked which is closer to their view on Sen. Corzine's use of his own money to
finance his campaign, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll
finds:

57 percent of voters say this leaves Corzine free of pressure from lobbyists and other
special interests;

34 percent say Corzine has an unfair advantage and looks like he's trying to buy the
election.

In another question, 66 percent of voters say it does not bother them that Corzine
gave $7 million to Democratic causes and organizations in New Jersey, with 30 percent
who say it does bother them.

"It's clear that Sen. Jon Corzine's money isn't a big issue with the voters as he
continues to hold a strong edge in the governor's race. Many of those who think
Corzine is trying to buy the governorship with his millions are Republicans who
wouldn't vote for him anyway," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "A strong majority agree with the statement that
by using his own money, Corzine stays free of influence from lobbyists and special
interests."

Corzine leads two possible Republican contenders in the governor's race:

50 - 34 percent over Bret Schundler;

50 - 33 percent over Douglas Forrester.

Among Republican voters, Forrester gets 33 percent to 29 percent for Schundler,
a tie, with 30 percent undecided. When five other possible Republican candidates are
added to the mix, Forrester gets 32 percent to Schundler's 31 percent, and no other
candidate breaks 3 percent.

New Jersey voters give Corzine a 51 - 29 percent approval rating, down from his
all-time high 59 - 26 percent approval in a January 26 Quinnipiac University poll.
Corzine gets a 39 - 21 percent favorability rating, with 21 percent mixed and 20 percent
who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

Forrester's favorability is 19 - 11 percent, with 16 percent mixed and 53 percent
who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

Schundler has a 22 - 15 percent favorability rating, with 15 percent mixed and 48
percent who haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

"Both leading Republicans, Bret Schundler and Doug Forrester, have closed the
gap a little as they get better known, but still lose handily to Corzine in theoretical
matchups. The GOP contest is still Schundler and Forrester neck and neck with no other
candidate in sight. Perhaps the most significant number here is that about half the voters
don't have an opinion of either GOP frontrunner, even though both have run statewide
before," Richards said.

From March 9 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 937 New Jersey registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points. The survey includes 268
registered Republicans, with a margin of error of +/- 6 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida
and nationally as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks or call (203) 582-5201.

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Jon Corzine is handling his
job as United States Senator?

TREND: (If registered Republican)If the Republican primary for governor were
being held today would you vote for Douglas Forrester, or Bret Schundler, or one
of the other announced Republican candidates? IF OTHER: Who might that be?

9. (If registered Republican) If the Republican primary for governor were
being held today would you vote for Douglas Forrester or Bret Schundler or
one of the other announced Republican candidates?
IF OTHER: Who might that be?

10. (If registered Republican) If the Republican primary for governor were
being held today, and the candidates were Douglas Forrester, Bret Schundler,
Todd Caliguire, Paul Di Gaetano, Steven Lonegan, John Murphy and Bob Schroeder
for whom would you vote?

18. As you may know, Senator Jon Corzine spent millions of dollars of his
own money to be elected Senator and says he will do the same in this year's
race for governor of New Jersey. Which comes closer to your point of view -

A) By financing his own campaigns Corzine is free from being beholden to
lobbyists and other special interests who would otherwise finance his
campaign.
or
B) By financing his own campaigns Corzine has an unfair advantage and looks
like he is trying to buy the election.

19. As you may know, Senator Corzine has also donated more than $7 million
dollars to Democratic causes and organizations in New Jersey. Does Corzine
spending this much money on Democratic causes and organizations in
New Jersey bother you or not?